BS2241 PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS

Module Number: Module Title: BS2241 Principles of Macroeconomics 10 5

Number of Aston Credits: Total Number of ECTS Credits: (European Credit Transfer)

Staff Member Responsible for the Module: Dr Rakesh Bissoondeeal Economics & Strategy Group South Wing, Room 1017, Extension 3128 E-mail: k.sun@aston.ac.uk Availability: Please appointment system WASS. Pre-Requisite(s) for the Module: book appointments via the online

BS1164 - Introduction Macroeconomics

to

BAM students wishing to follow the Economics stream must have achieved marks of 60% or above in BOTH BS1102 Economic Environment for Business AND BS1108 Topics in Applied Economics Module Learning Outcomes: This module is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to a variety of models commonly used for macroeconomic analysis, as well as their application to the understanding of recent macroeconomic events affecting several national economies and economic policy measures adopted by different governments. Upon successful completion of the module students will be able to: understand and compare the features of the main macroeconomic models understand the determinants of macroeconomic fluctuations and the impact of fiscal and monetary policy and the economy establish relationships among relevant concepts such as income determination and employment theory, economic growth, inflation, recession

Module Content:

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BS2241 PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS

Week 14 15 17 Introduction to macroeconomics and national statistics Classical economics: aggregate demand and supply, equilibrium in the market for goods and services, equilibrium in financial markets, the open economy Keynesian economics: Background to Keynesian economics, the IS-LM model, fiscal and monetary policy in the IS-LM model, the Mundell-Fleming model and the open economy

18 22

23 24

Supply-side economics: Aggregate unemployment and the Phillips curve Revision

supply,

inflation,

25

International Dimensions: Theoretical models of macroeconomic behaviour and policy will be applied to a range of international macroeconomic event such as the currency crisis in East Asia and hyperinflation in Latin America. The different approaches to economic policy in different countries will be compared and contrasted. Corporate Connections: The module deals with issues that are of central importance for companies planning activity: the general stability of the economic environment of a range of countries, the determinants of inflation, unemployment, economic activity. It also deals with the nature and impact of economic policy in a range of countries: developed, developing and in transition. Links to Research: Various parts of this module are linked to the research conducted by Dr Rakesh Bissoondeeal. For example, Dr Bissoondeeal has published papers on the demand for money and on forecasting and modelling of inflation and exchange rates. Learning and Teaching Rationale and Methods: a) Method of Teaching By twelve two-hour lectures and five bi-weekly one-hour exercise sessions over twelve weeks. The lectures and independent reading will provide the theoretical foundation. Non-marked homework exercises will be assigned at each lecture. These exercises are designed to foster a deeper understanding of economic theory as well as understanding of potential applications. The exercises will be reviewed in the tutorial review sessions and can be discussed with individual students during office hours.
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b)

Duration Contact and directed learning Lectures Class presentation and discussion of exercises Examination Class test Indirect learning Preparation of exercises Exam revision Reading Total

24 hours 5 hours 2 hours 1 hour

15 hours 25 hours 28 hours 100 hours

Exercise Revision Sessions and Class Test Schedule Exercise revision session I Exercise revision session II Exercise revision session III Class Test I Exercise revision session IV Exercise revision session V Ethical Approval: This module does not require any primary research and no ethical approval will be necessary. Assessment and Feedback Rationale and Methods: Assessment is via a two-hour closed book final examination (75%) and one one-hour closed-book class test (25%). The examination assumes knowledge of the material covered in the lectures, exercises and main recommended reading. It is designed to test the students knowledge of the theory and applications of macroeconomics and their ability to use them and evaluate them. The class test is designed to reinforce the learning process and for the students to find out how well they are doing in their understanding of the material covered in the lectures and tutorials. Week 14/15 Week 16/17 Week 18/19 week 20 Week 19/20 Week 20/21

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